Chelsea Hope to Spoil Wrexham’s Hollywood Story | OneFootball

Chelsea travel to Championship side Wrexham in the FA Cup this weekend, knowing that the stage is set for the Welsh side to cause an upset. 

A Fairy Tale Story of Redemption

Wrexham, majority owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have rapidly risen up the divisions since the pair purchased the club in 2021. 

At that time Wrexham were languishing in the National League, the 5th tier of English football. Fast forward five years, and they are near the top of the Championship. They current sit in sixth and are competing for a playoff spot which could see them be in the Premier League next season. 

The job Reynolds, McElhenney and manager Phil Parkinson have done is nothing short of miraculous. The club have achieved a historic three back-to-back promotions, and were the first club in English football to achieve three consecutive promotions within the top five tiers.

But a knockout game against Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup is bigger than anything they have faced thus far. They have already overcome Nottingham Forest of the Premier League on their FA Cup run this season, but Liam Rosenior’s side pose a challenge of a different scale. 

Chelsea have won the FA Cup eight-times, and Rosenior will be eyeing a potential first trophy as Blues manager. 

The “Welcome to Wrexham” Effect

Alongside their historic rise to the Championship, Wrexham have also produced a television show called “Welcome to Wrexham.” The show has millions of fans, including Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior apparently. 

Asked before the game if he had watched any of the series, Rosenior said: “I’ve seen a few (seasons). Yeah, I’ve seen a few.

“When you see a club grow, develop, improve and come up through the leagues, it’s a great story. They’ve done a great job. I think Phil [Parkinson] has done an incredible job.

“The way he’s managed the team and the position they’re in in the league as well now. We know it’s going to be a really, really difficult game. It’s a club that’s on the rise and there’s a good energy and a good vibe around. It’s hard to play against that. We take the game really seriously. For us, it’s an opportunity to win a trophy.”

The Chelsea manager was then jokingly asked if he would ever want to be in a TV series, and replied: “I’ll leave the acting to the professionals! No, it’s brilliant. I think to be open with the public about how a football club works and people are interested in it, it’s been a great story for them and hopefully after the game, it continues for them.”

The Takeaway

The eyes of the world will be fixed on the Stōk Rae Racecourse for this star-studded FA Cup fixture. Most people will want a Wrexham victory for their fairytale story to continue. Chelsea will have to be the villains.